CONCORDIA EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH
A Brief History
A Concordia Timeline
1859 - A Bible Study group is formed by thirteen people meeting in a Chesnut hill shoemaker's shop. The Deutsche Evangelisch Lutherische Concordia Kirche is born on May 29, with the Rev. J.J. Strine as pastor.
1861 - After meeting in Ironville School for two years, the first church building is erected at the foot of the present cemetery.
1862 - The second pastor, the Rev. J. A. Darmstaetter, is called, and serves 37 years. The first bell is purchashed for the steeple.
1872 - The first organ is purchased for $182.00.
1885 - The church bell cracks and is replaced with a new 340-pound one bearing the inscription "Concordia - Gott Allein Die Ehre.".
1888 - A charter is granted to the church on the 20th of February.
1906 - English is introduced into services conducted in German.
1921 - Concordia enters into a joint parish with St. James Lutheran in Columbia.
1926 - Land adjacent to the top of the cemetary is purchsed for a new building.
1935 - Ground breaking for the new church takes place on the 6th of May; and the completed church is dedicated on the 27th of October! The cost of the unfurnished building is $11,000.
1940 - All church services are now conducted in English.
1957 - Concordia separates from St. James to become an independent parish. A new parsonage is dedicated on the 8th of December.
1962 - A new educational wing built and dedicated.
1967 - The Mountville Ministerium is created, with Concordia one of five members.
1975 - A new organ is purchased and dedicated to Ruth Kline, organist for 47 years!
1979 - Present pastor, the Rev. Thomas Rundell, is called as 18th minister to serve the congregation.
1985 - The chancel is remodeled and a front narthex is added to the sanctuary. Electronic chimes are installed in the belltower. Communion is now given weekly.
1987 - A secretary is now employed for the church office.
1991 - Two Sunday services are now resumed after 25 years of a single service.
1997 - The church observes the 25th anniversary of Pastor Rundell's ordination.
2007 - Pastor Rundell retires after 28 years of service to the parish.
2009 - Rev. David L. Hefner is called to serve Concordia. Pastor Dave was educated at Penn State and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. He and his wife Kathy recently celebrated their 33rd year of marriage.
2009 - Concordia is celebrating its 150th anniversary with various activities scheduled throughout the year to mark the celebration.
This rural church of German farmers and ore-mine workers has given way to a thriving suburban one. These significant events over the past 137 years were sustained and nourished by this congregation's faith in God. A congregation that grew from the original thirteen to the present 427 confirmed, communing, and contributing members. With God's blessing, may Concordia continue "Growing in Grace".
